Honoring WWII vets

When a memorial honoring World War II veterans finally was erected on the mall in Washington, D.C., in 2004, many of those veterans were reaching an age when travel was more and more problematic. Some 1,200 World War II vets are dying every day.

The Honor Tour, an all-expenses-paid trip to the National World War II Memorial, will provide an opportunity to see the memorial to veterans from this area who need assistance. Rob Callahan, a Marble Hill, Mo., Air Force veteran, is organizing the June 21 tour. It will provide 30 people with airline tickets from St. Louis to Washington.

The tour is modeled on a similar effort in Ohio -- Honor Flight, which was organized by Earl Morse -- that received national attention when ABC News broadcast a story last November about that effort.

Though the transportation has been donated for the Honor Tour for Southeast Missouri vets, contributions are still needed for other expenses. Callahan is determined that the veterans will be able to go to Washington for free. Anyone who wants to contribute can reach Callahan at (573) 718-1076.

It's difficult to think of a better tribute to the sacrifices these men and women made for their country.